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www.spec.com.au News wrap Roo pet food trial extension welcomed DENIS PETERS VICTORIAN Petfood Processors (VPP), which operates a kangaroo factory in Hamilton, has welcomed a state government decision to extend its current roo pet food trial for another two years, although there will be no substantial further investment until the arrangements are made permanent. Company director David Preece nevertheless says more employment at the South Boundary Rd facility will undoubtedly take place if and when more animals become available in the Glenelg and West Wimmera shires. Mr Preece said his company had bought another facility in Seymour but that plant was not yet processing and kangaroos shot in that area would be brought to Hamilton in the interim, meaning more work. The state government has announced a twoyear extension for the current trial of culling kangaroos for use in pet food production. Southern Grampians Shire Council last week voted to lobby the government to put the trial on a permanent basis, as has the Nationals’ Lowan MP Emma Kealy. Mr Preece said he was happy with the twoyear extension. “It will enable us to move forward for the next two years,” he said “The original trial was two years. We threw $120,000-odd at that first trial because we had to put that infrastructure in to compete in that trial. “Once we got it half up-and-running, we left it at that purely because I can’t guarantee spending more money because of the limited period of time. “In hindsight, two years doesn’t allow me to go too far overboard putting more investment into it. “We will have to do a little bit of something just to be able to handle it providing they open up these next two shires that they’re talking about. “That’s the key as to how much more infrastructure we put in. “We’ll just have to fight with what infrastructure we’ve got and employ enough people to process this stuff with existing plant and equipment if I can’t get any long term career out of it.” Mr Preece said that if the government did not allow Glenelg and West Wimmera to join the operation, there would be no need to invest further in infrastructure. “If we can get this trial through the two-year period without causing any grief, then the state government can say ‘we’ve done it for four years, it’s going all right, we’re keeping track of monitoring and things’ there’s no reason why they may not extend it permanently,” he said. “Once they do that, we’d certainly spend a considerable amount of money, because it’s an ongoing business then.” He said VPP was liaising with the state government but the industry what not yet savvy with the role of a new committee which is part of the government’s two-year extension. Mr Preece said all involved with the Victorian arrangements, including environment groups opposed to culling, needed to keep in mind that this was part of a national industry which was well established in other states. “They’re the things that need to be protected and Victorian Petfood Processors is hell bent on protecting that market,” he said. Small Business Commissioner to visit Hamilton RESOLUTION of commercial disputes will be among the topics for discussion when the Victorian Small Business Commissioner visits Hamilton next month. The commissioner, Geoff Browne, will conduct an information session for local small business owners. Other topics to be covered include the main problems with retail leases, potential pitfalls for start-up businesses, the cost of litigation to a business, and farm debt mediation The session will also discuss the role of the commissioner in encouraging good business conduct, preventing disputes arising, and resolving disputes quickly and at low cost when they do arise. Southern Grampians Shire Mayor Cr Peter FURNITURE REMOVAL SELF DRIVE PH: 0417 711 575 WITH HYDRAULIC HOIST (Car licence required) HAMILTON SPECTATOR Thursday February 18 2016 9 Dark urged business owners to attend the information session. “It is great to see the commissioner visiting rural and regional businesses. It is a great opportunity to understand the role of the Small Business Commissioner and how his services can be of assistance to our local businesses,” he said. The session will be held on March 8 at the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre. Closing the gap BREASTSCREEN Victoria continues to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with participation rates set to show improvement following the implementation of a considered, culturally sensitive program which aims to make the screening process easier. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull released the 2016 Closing the Gap report in Federal Parliament last week, with an increase in Indigenous cancer mortality rates and a widening gap in comparison to non-Indigenous Australians among key points raised in the annual update. The 2016 Closing the Gap report notes that: “Between 2006 and 2013, there was a 10 per cent increase in cancer death rates for Indigenous patients and a 6 per cent decline for non-Indigenous Australians.” Breast cancer is the most common cancer among indigenous women in Victoria. Since 2013, BreastScreen Victoria has been working with organisations such as the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative (RAC) to improve breast screening rates. Working with key indigenous groups, particularly the regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOS), has been crucial to gain an understanding of how best to engage with the communities. Not only is breast cancer the most common cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, but the mortality rate is also higher due to diagnosis at advanced stages … something BreastScreen Victoria is actively working to change. Prime Minister Turnbull called for “hope and optimism rather than entrenched despair” in engaging with indigenous Australians and this is a sentiment shared by BreastScreen Victoria CEO, Vicki Pridmore. BreastScreen Victoria participation statistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women remain below the state average of 54 per cent however, the organisation remains hopeful and encouraged with the number of women using the program on the rise. The latest data is again expected to show an increase in participation with a rate of 39 per cent reported for the period 2012-2014. “Our latest tracking data indicates we will see those figures increase again this year,” Ms Pridmore said. “For 2010-2012, the participation rate was just 29 per cent, so we’ve already made steady gains and this gives us great hope for the future. “It’s important to remember that early detection of breast cancer improves outcomes for women. “75 per cent of all women diagnosed are over the age of 50 and one 10-minute appointment every two years could save your life.” To make an appointment book online at breastscreen.org.au or call 13 20 50. SDE0930416N SEB09347527